George Washington fire delays ‘hull swap’

George Washington fire delays ‘hull swap’
By Allison Batdorff and Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, June 1, 2008

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The USS Kitty Hawk will have to remain in the Pacific longer than initially planned after its replacement, the USS George Washington, was damaged by a recent fire, a Navy official said.

The two carriers were to meet in Pearl Harbor next week for a "hull swap," with the newer George Washington taking over for the 47-year-old Kitty Hawk, the oldest active-duty warship in the fleet. About 900 Kitty Hawk sailors and the carrier’s air wing were expected to transfer to the George Washington.

But a fire broke out on the George Washington on May 22, while the carrier was off South America, prompting the Navy to postpone the ship’s trip to Hawaii, said Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Jeff Davis.

The George Washington is in San Diego for damage assessment and repairs. The fire lasted several hours, causing minor injuries to about 24 sailors and extreme heat in parts of the ship, according to Navy reports.

Decisions — like rescheduling the turnover with Kitty Hawk and whether the George Washington will be able to participate in the annual Rim of the Pacific exercise — will be based on a final damage assessment expected in about a week, said Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. Scott Gureck.


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